It’s essential to be careful what you say when speaking with insurance companies after a car accident. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to weaken your accident claim. When you must talk to an insurer, offer only basic facts, avoid speculation, and never admit fault.
Knowing how to handle statements to an insurance company after a car accident requires an understanding of the tactics insurers use and your legal rights. Help is available to injury victims. If you have a car accident claim in Georgia, an experienced car accident attorney can handle all communications with the insurance companies on your behalf and help you seek fair compensation.
How Can a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Deal with the Insurance Company?
Dealing with insurers after a car accident can feel overwhelming. Insurance adjusters attempt to get car accident victims to make statements that can compromise their claim to compensation. Having the legal representation of an experienced car accident lawyer can help you counter their tactics and protect your rights throughout the claims process. A car accident attorney can help by:
- Handling All Communications – The most straightforward way to avoid compromising your car accident case is to let your attorney communicate with the insurers on your behalf. An experienced attorney knows how to communicate with insurers after a car crash while building your case.
- Gathering Evidence – A substantial body of evidence makes it far more challenging for insurance companies to deny your claim. Your attorney can gather police reports, witness statements, medical bills, medical records, and expert testimony to support your claim.
- Negotiating Settlements – When it comes time to settle, your car accident attorney will advocate aggressively for you at the negotiating table.
- Representing You in Court – If insurers refuse to agree to a fair settlement, your lawyer may file a car accident lawsuit and be prepared to fight for a favorable outcome on your behalf.
What Are Some Things I Should Say or Provide to the Insurance Company?
If you have auto insurance coverage, you are required to notify your insurance company of any accident, regardless of who was at fault. Cooperating with the insurance company is essential. However, limit your statements to basic, factual information. When you speak with the insurer, here’s what you should do:
- Report the Accident – Your auto insurance policy likely requires you to report a car crash promptly. Failing to do so may give the insurer a reason to dispute your claim or cancel your insurance.
- Give Them Basic Details of the Accident – When you report the car crash to your insurance company, keep the conversation focused on the date, time, location, and type of accident (rear-end collision, sideswipe, T-bone). Avoid speculation, as it may be used against you in ways you can’t necessarily predict.
- Provide Photos or Videos of the Accident – If you documented the vehicle damage, accident debris, skid marks, traffic signs and signals, road conditions, or any other aspects of the accident scene, share it with the insurer.
Remember that your insurer may need basic information, but they don’t need a lengthy recorded statement or personal opinions.
What Are Some Things I Should NOT Say or Do with the Insurance Company?
The things you should avoid saying to insurers are often just as important as the information you provide. Here are some common mistakes that can harm your case:
- Do Not Say Any More Than Necessary – Insurers will try to lead you into long conversations, hoping you’ll say something they can use against you. Stick to the basic facts and keep the conversation brief.
- Tell Them to Speak with Your Lawyer – Entrusting all insurance company communications to an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer relieves the pressure on you to avoid missteps.
- Do Not Admit Fault – Insurers will ask leading questions to pressure you to speculate about your own role in the accident. Never assume blame.
- Do Not Downplay or Minimize Your Injuries – One common way insurers minimize payouts is by getting car accident victims to talk about their injuries in a way that downplays their severity. Leave any comments about your physical injuries, medical treatment, and anticipated future medical expenses to medical professionals.
- Do Not Accept an Initial Settlement Offer – It’s common for insurance companies to offer a quick, lowball settlement to limit their liability. If you have serious injuries, it may take months to recover and to determine the fair value of your medical expenses and lost wages. Never accept an initial settlement offer without having an attorney review it. Once you accept an offer, you cannot ask the insurance company involved for more money if your losses exceed the settlement amount.
What Should I Do if the Insurance Company Asks for a Recorded Statement?
Insurance adjusters may ask you to provide a recorded statement, claiming it’s necessary to process your car accident claim. In reality, these statements are frequently used against the claimant to reduce their payout.
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. If your insurer asks for one, you should only provide it under the guidance of an experienced car accident lawyer. Do not agree to any recording until you’ve consulted an attorney.
What Happens if You Don’t Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company?
Failing to report an accident to your insurer can have significant consequences when pursuing a personal injury case. The at-fault driver may try to convince you to handle the matter privately without involving the insurance companies. But you should always report any auto accident to the police and to your insurance company. Here are some reasons why:
- Policy Requirements – Most auto insurance policies require you to report accidents promptly. Failing to do so can result in the insurance company canceling your policy.
- Discovered Injuries – Some injuries don’t show symptoms until after the accident. If you delay reporting the crash, the insurer may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident.
- Solidifying the Story – Reporting the accident documents when and where the accident occurred and who was involved. It helps protect you against false claims from another driver.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Bayuk Pratt have over 50 years of combined experience representing car accident victims against big insurance companies. Our legal team has recovered over $300 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for the maximum compensation you need to overcome your car accident injuries and move forward with your life. Contact our law firm for a free consultation.
